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| Oh Mom. Zuzu looks odd. |
Merriest of Christmases, everyone! Or rather, a superbly happy Boxing Day to you all. I love boxes, boxed lunches, boxty, the boxstep, and Oscar De La Hoya.
Our Christmas Eve was spent at a church in the Berkshires that we don’t regularly attend, but which was quite nice, nonetheless. There were carols, there were lessons, there were snacks and books shared over the pews by miniature cousins, there were inopportunely timed ‘Amens’ from smallish blond children, and there was at least once incredibly good (and sleepy) infant in her finest velour duds- complete with ruffled headband.
My Dad read ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas to all of his grandchildren…with extremely varied reactions. There were boys who completely dug every single line. There were girls who pointedly disagreed with the entire endeavor. There was one snoozer. But- and most importantly- it was all captured on film, including a poignant moment where I yelled at my biggie daughter to sit on the couch RIGHT NOW. (Fa la la.)
After the kids fell asleep, my father found and played a video from Christmas morning, 1991. (My finest year, fashion/face/hair-wise.) A few filmed moments were pretty incredible:
-The fact that someone- quite possibly my folks- actually gifted my 4 year-old twin sisters tinny microphones attached to tape decks.
-That my ’91 Era Dad received a flannel which he recently gave to my ’11 Era husband…which would have blown the mind of ’91 Era Keely, playing with a porcelain doll recently positioned on the shelf of ’11 Era Daughter.
-And the weird realization that an awful lot of [colorful] pens were presented back and forth that year.
On Christmas morning, my daughters actually slept in. Which was completely overruled by my nephews’ excited pre-dawn pre-game.
And guess what? Santa really did a number on the under-6 set. But apparently he needlessly overdid it. For Nora was disinterested in ANY other gifts once she spied a [2 buck] Strawberry Shortcake activity book. Really. At least Susannah feigned interest in her teething rings and rainbow sock monkey. Nora was done.
As for me, Santa Husband was pretty darned terrific. Among my gifts were some pretty sweet cards for clothing which- once I get my pre-baby body back (a week from now, tops)- will be used the heck out of, a monogrammed charm for Suzy for my bracelet, a new Nora Roberts novel, and- one of the coolest things ever ever ever– an oversized mug proclaiming me to be the World’s Best Mom…
…With “Somehow I Manage” on the opposing side. (Anyone? “Office” fans? What if I made a dramatic shrugging motion while saying it?)
P.J. received a day at a Russian spa/bath in Chicago for a day of relaxation/detox/potential nudity and a pair of hiking boots (which he promptly decided to exchange.) At least one present was received happily. This is better than my usual present to Peej/Peej’s immediate return rate.
Nora got a personal DVD player- for all of her personal viewing needs. Susannah got a pewter baby cup and a fascinating number of sock monkeys. (A new red wagon for two is waiting for them under our tree at home- shh…thankfully my girls cannot read/are not fans of my blog.)
And- for real- we were all spoiled by a downright insane number of gifts from sisters, boyfriends, parents, nephews, aunts, uncles, and daughters. Cincinnati giftitude (in the form of delightfully Ohioan food) was shipped in from my in-laws.
I took a bath. And a nap. And read. Ate way too much terrific wonderfulness at the hands of my parents. (Well, their cooking abilities. But I used my hands.)
Suzy’s first Christmas was extremely special.
But I’m not surprised- they’re all extremely special.
Especially back in ’91 when I was (on camera) quite stoked to receive a) a new Barbie (Really, Keely? At 11? Really?), b) hot pink paperclips, and c) shoe deodorizers.
I’m pretty sure there’s a lesson in there somewhere.
Deep down.
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